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Post by bunnyhug on Mar 23, 2022 19:39:03 GMT
I've never been to either Pittsburgh or Washington, and never really thought about going to either, honestly, but dh wants to go to MLB opening day and a couple subsequent games, so that's where we're headed next month. Please give me your top picks for non-baseball things to do!
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peabay
Prolific Pea
Posts: 9,684
Jun 25, 2014 19:50:41 GMT
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Post by peabay on Mar 23, 2022 19:42:26 GMT
I'm not from Pittsburgh but I have visited a lot - highly recommend the Andy Warhol museum.
There's so much to do in DC - are you interested in the museums? The Smithsonian etc...
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,745 
Location: Houston, TX
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Post by smartypants71 on Mar 23, 2022 20:10:54 GMT
Definitely do a Ducky Tour in Pittsburgh.
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scrappinwithoutpeas
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,949
Location: Northern Virginia
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Post by scrappinwithoutpeas on Mar 23, 2022 20:36:28 GMT
There are tons of things to do in DC and surrounding area - what are your interests? Museums galore, monuments, historic sites like Mt Vernon, off-the-beaten-path places...?
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Post by monklady123 on Mar 23, 2022 20:39:32 GMT
Pittsburgh: -- take the incline up to Mt. Washington, have lunch up there -- Cathedral of Learning international rooms -- Strip District, shopping and eating -- Point State Park, enjoy people watching and the view and have a picnic -- boat trip -- the zoo -- Andy Warhol Museum How much time will you have? And what are the ages of whoever you'll be with? That will determine which, if any, of those that work for you. Washington, DC: (same caveats about ages of people with you) -- all the museums that are part of the Smithsonian -- some of the ones right down on the Mall are Air and Space, Natural History, American History, African American History and Culture, Museum of the American Indian... you could spend your entire trip doing that -- the zoo -- all the monuments -- Washington, Jefferson, etc. -- Vietnam Memorial, WWII Memorial -- walk around the Tidal Basin, combine with seeing Martin Luther King Memorial and the Roosevelt Memorial Park -- Arlington National Cemetery (in Arlington, not DC) -- Iwo Jima (also in Arlington) -- Udvar Hazy in Chantilly, Virginia (straight west of DC) -- part of the Smithsonian where the big stuff is stored and displayed -- space shuttle, etc. That should be enough for a month or two of sightseeing every single day. 
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Post by bunnyhug on Mar 23, 2022 21:12:54 GMT
Sorry, I have been around here long enough that I should have known to give more info in my initial post  It'll just be dh and me. He's happy to follow me around to places I'd like to see, and I'm happy to go sit at assorted sports venues with him. That said, sometimes we part ways and go places solo if the other person really won't like somewhere! I like to poke around assorted shops and don't mind museums and galleries, although left to my own devices, I usually get through them a lot faster than other people might--my ADHD kicks in and I don't do well "contemplating" art works for more than about thirty seconds each  I like to walk/hike, and I don't mind taking sightseeing tours ... dh likes all those things less than I do, but he will mostly be a good sport about it. I'm interested in history in general, but not overly interested in American history, so that narrows things down at the Smithsonian--I'd probably head for the natural history, air and space, and art focused collections. I've liked tasting tours of local restaurants that we've been on in various cities, so if you know a great one, I'd love to hear about it. With the baseball commitments, we'll probably only have a couple full days in each city to explore, and then a few days with pre- or post-game time to do stuff. So basically, I guess I'm just asking what your one or two or few absolute favourite, don't-miss things are. Thanks for all the suggestions  |
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casii
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,477
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Post by casii on Mar 23, 2022 21:42:42 GMT
Sorry, I have been around here long enough that I should have known to give more info in my initial post  It'll just be dh and me. He's happy to follow me around to places I'd like to see, and I'm happy to go sit at assorted sports venues with him. That said, sometimes we part ways and go places solo if the other person really won't like somewhere! I like to poke around assorted shops and don't mind museums and galleries, although left to my own devices, I usually get through them a lot faster than other people might--my ADHD kicks in and I don't do well "contemplating" art works for more than about thirty seconds each  I like to walk/hike, and I don't mind taking sightseeing tours ... dh likes all those things less than I do, but he will mostly be a good sport about it. I'm interested in history in general, but not overly interested in American history, so that narrows things down at the Smithsonian--I'd probably head for the natural history, air and space, and art focused collections. I've liked tasting tours of local restaurants that we've been on in various cities, so if you know a great one, I'd love to hear about it. With the baseball commitments, we'll probably only have a couple full days in each city to explore, and then a few days with pre- or post-game time to do stuff. So basically, I guess I'm just asking what your one or two or few absolute favourite, don't-miss things are. Thanks for all the suggestions  If you've got a bit of ADHD, a Watson Adventure scavenger hunt might a fun way to visit a museum or neighborhood. I feel like the Holocaust Museum is worthy 9f a visit but be prepared for shock at man's inhumanity to man and a good deal of ugly crying. You could contact your senator or congressional reps office about a tour at the Capitol. This would be with an intern from their office and you'd get a more intimate experience than the large public tours. Touring the Supreme Court and Library of Congress is right up there too. I think the library of Congress is one of the most gorgeous buildings in the US. There is also the National Archives which holds the Declaration of Independence. (My secret weirdo advice is to visit the cafeterias in the senate/congressional office buildings. The food is pretty darn good and cheap. Same goes for the USDA cafeteria. The security staff is used to pointing people in the right direction.) The Kennedy Center has free public performances at 6 pm every evening and a full slate of entertainment/activities. Outside the beltway, Wolftrap has great performances in a gorgeous setting as it's also a National Park. I love a star filled night at Wolftrap. |
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ellen
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,567
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Post by ellen on Mar 23, 2022 21:45:18 GMT
We've done a couple trips to the DC area recently and I'm going again next month.
Things we've done or other family members have done when they visited my daughter:
Monument walk/White House/Lafayette Park - this is must do activity in DC all in the same area, I'd recommend adding Black Lives Matter Plaza to it
National Portrait Gallery
Holocaust Museum (requires passes)
African American Museum (requires passes)
Other Smithsonian museums
Zoo
Arlington Cemetery
Gettysburg (just did the car tour with an app that gives a tour, it was great)
Annapolis, visted the Naval Academy and bummed around the cute historical downtown(if that's what it's called?). We loved Annapolis.*
Baltimore
Mt. Vernon
Capitals game
DC is great - so much to do and most everything is free.
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twinsmomfla99
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,015
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Post by twinsmomfla99 on Mar 23, 2022 21:47:00 GMT
Sorry, I have been around here long enough that I should have known to give more info in my initial post It'll just be dh and me. He's happy to follow me around to places I'd like to see, and I'm happy to go sit at assorted sports venues with him. That said, sometimes we part ways and go places solo if the other person really won't like somewhere! I like to poke around assorted shops and don't mind museums and galleries, although left to my own devices, I usually get through them a lot faster than other people might--my ADHD kicks in and I don't do well "contemplating" art works for more than about thirty seconds each I like to walk/hike, and I don't mind taking sightseeing tours ... dh likes all those things less than I do, but he will mostly be a good sport about it. I'm interested in history in general, but not overly interested in American history, so that narrows things down at the Smithsonian--I'd probably head for the natural history, air and space, and art focused collections. I've liked tasting tours of local restaurants that we've been on in various cities, so if you know a great one, I'd love to hear about it. With the baseball commitments, we'll probably only have a couple full days in each city to explore, and then a few days with pre- or post-game time to do stuff. So basically, I guess I'm just asking what your one or two or few absolute favourite, don't-miss things are. Thanks for all the suggestions The Western PA History Museum (not sure of the exact name but it is in the Strip Distrct and I believe it is part of the Smithsonian) is awesome not just for history but for pop culture. There is a section dedicated to Mr. Rogers and I swear half of it is dedicated to Western PA sports, so lots of Pirates, Steelers, and Penguins stuff, as well as local college/high school displays. It would pair quite well with Opening Day. Oh, and because it’s in the Strip District, you can hit a lot of fun shops while you are there! |
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Post by pinkgreen on Mar 23, 2022 22:13:51 GMT
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Post by Legacy Girl on Mar 24, 2022 1:47:35 GMT
About 20 minutes outside of Pittsburgh (near Washington, PA) is Canonsburg, PA, home of the Sarris Chocolate Factory. They have a showroom/store with chocolates in every shape and variation you can dream of -- think professions, hobbies, animals, sports, animated characters, and so many more -- and Easter is one of the best seasons to visit, especially if you have Easter baskets to fill. Be sure to buy a bag of chocolate-covered pretzels (dark chocolate are my favorite candy in the world). Also, be sure to come hungry and plan to spend a little time in their old-fashioned soda fountain/ice cream parlor. I never make a trip to Pittsburgh without stopping at Sarris. It's never a long stop, but it is definitely worth the trip! Sarris |
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Sarah*H
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,990
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Post by Sarah*H on Mar 24, 2022 2:04:04 GMT
Unfortunately, the Ducky Tours in Pittsburgh have gone out of business.
The Heinz History Center is in the Strip District which is our ethnic market district. It spans several blocks on Liberty and Penn Avenues and the side streets. It is the best of Pittsburgh.
We have a great Science Center with a WWII sub you can tour. The Pompeii exhibit is there until 4/24 also. Immersive Van Gogh is still here although it is switching to Immersive Frido Kahlo soon.
Other uniquely wonderful Pgh things are the inclines, Phipps Conservatory, the Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning at Pitt. On the North Side of Pittsburgh is the Warhol and the Mattress Factory (another art museum.) Randyland is a wonderful free outdoor art exhibit at one guys house; plan to eat at Nicky’s Thai or the Federal Galley if you do any of those art museums/exhibits. The National Aviary (a Smithsonian museum) is in that area as well. If you are looking for something really niche, the Clemente Museum is interesting and in a neighborhood with a lot of great restaurants.
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Post by Jessica on Mar 24, 2022 5:51:22 GMT
There are lots of things mentioned upthread but I wanted to say that if you were interested, Fallingwater is about a 2.5 hour drive outside Pittsburgh. I love a good day trip and loved seeing the house and surrounding areas.
Also, you will LOVE PNC Park. I went to two games last season and it is so charming.
Enjoy your trip!
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peppermintpatty
Pearl Clutcher
Refupea #1345
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Post by peppermintpatty on Mar 24, 2022 13:47:32 GMT
Since you like to hike, hike the C/O canal. You can catch it in Georgetown (DC). You can also take the Clara Barton Parkway into MD and stop at so many places to walk along the canal. You can also go to Great Falls in VA or in MD. It is really beautiful. If you go to Great Falls, take a picnic lunch. There are places to spread out and eat (VA side is better). I live very close to the MD side of the falls. Walk around the Tidal Basin. You already got info on museums. Some additional ones that really are worth seeing is the Holocaust Museum and the Museum of African American History. The 9/11 memorial near the Pentagon is really lovely.
I know the Air and Space is going to be closed for renovation (not sure when but soon).
There is shopping in Georgetown, lots of quirky shops. Good restaurants are all over the place. In DC, check out Good Stuff Eatery. Amazing burgers and shakes! They are also in Crystal City, VA (right over the bridge).
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smartypants71
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,745
Location: Houston, TX
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Post by smartypants71 on Mar 24, 2022 13:56:08 GMT
Unfortunately, the Ducky Tours in Pittsburgh have gone out of business.
The Heinz History Center is in the Strip District which is our ethnic market district. It spans several blocks on Liberty and Penn Avenues and the side streets. It is the best of Pittsburgh. We have a great Science Center with a WWII sub you can tour. The Pompeii exhibit is there until 4/24 also. Immersive Van Gogh is still here although it is switching to Immersive Frido Kahlo soon. Other uniquely wonderful Pgh things are the inclines, Phipps Conservatory, the Nationality Rooms at the Cathedral of Learning at Pitt. On the North Side of Pittsburgh is the Warhol and the Mattress Factory (another art museum.) Randyland is a wonderful free outdoor art exhibit at one guys house; plan to eat at Nicky’s Thai or the Federal Galley if you do any of those art museums/exhibits. The National Aviary (a Smithsonian museum) is in that area as well. If you are looking for something really niche, the Clemente Museum is interesting and in a neighborhood with a lot of great restaurants. Nooooo! I've done that tour quite a few times when I've visited my office there. Obvs I haven't done any work travel for a couple of years now. That's so disappointing to hear. |
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Post by JavaJones on Mar 24, 2022 13:57:08 GMT
Pittsburgh: -- take the incline up to Mt. Washington, have lunch up there -- Cathedral of Learning international rooms -- Strip District, shopping and eating -- Point State Park, enjoy people watching and the view and have a picnic -- boat trip -- the zoo -- Andy Warhol Museum How much time will you have? And what are the ages of whoever you'll be with? That will determine which, if any, of those that work for you. Washington, DC: (same caveats about ages of people with you) -- all the museums that are part of the Smithsonian -- some of the ones right down on the Mall are Air and Space, Natural History, American History, African American History and Culture, Museum of the American Indian... you could spend your entire trip doing that -- the zoo -- all the monuments -- Washington, Jefferson, etc. -- Vietnam Memorial, WWII Memorial -- walk around the Tidal Basin, combine with seeing Martin Luther King Memorial and the Roosevelt Memorial Park -- Arlington National Cemetery (in Arlington, not DC) -- Iwo Jima (also in Arlington) -- Udvar Hazy in Chantilly, Virginia (straight west of DC) -- part of the Smithsonian where the big stuff is stored and displayed -- space shuttle, etc. That should be enough for a month or two of sightseeing every single day. My husband’s family is from Pittsburgh and we live in DC, so I can personally recommend all of the above. If you like to to walk around and shop a bit, you might like a visit to Georgetown. It also has lots of great old houses, cobbled streets, etc, and if you like beautiful gardens, there is Dumbarton Oaks. In Georgetown you can also go down to the Waterfront along the Potomac, lots of restaurants. There is also the Harbor area in DC, which has really grown in recent years, so you might like to walk around there, lots of shops and restaurants, and fairly close to the ballpark. If you like to walk/hike, you can walk along the Canal and see some of the historic Locks. Locally in VA there are a lot of great hiking trails—Great Falls is especially beautiful. If you are an experienced/adventurous hiker, you might like the Billy Goat Trail. If you have time for a day trip in the Pittsburgh area, I also think Fallingwater is a must see |
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maryannscraps
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,744
Aug 28, 2017 12:51:28 GMT
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Post by maryannscraps on Mar 24, 2022 14:07:29 GMT
The last time I was in DC, I visited the National Portrait Gallery for the first time. I thought it was worth it just for President Clinton's cool portrait. If you're over in that area, pop in for a few minutes.
OP The Smithsonian museums are all free to visit, so I love popping in and out just to see a couple things in each. No need to stay long and get your money's worth. Just check to see which ones require a reserved time.
ETA: In cities we haven't been to before, DH and I like to go on one of those hop-on-hop-off trolley tours to get the lay of the land. He can't walk that far, so it gets us between attractions faster.
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Post by peanutterbutter on Mar 24, 2022 14:41:00 GMT
I might have missed it but the gateway clipper cruises are nice in Pittsburgh. Thry have several options.
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Post by cecilia on Mar 24, 2022 16:04:46 GMT
DC--
River cruises
Arlington National Cemetery, monuments at night.
And wear comfy shoes! When I went with 4H, we all got blisters from walking so much. It was 40+ people.
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Post by bunnyhug on Mar 24, 2022 16:28:43 GMT
What a great list of things to check out--thanks! My dh will think I'm a genius I'm trying to make this year (my 50th, so since June!) the year where I check out places I'd not thought of doing ... so, I went with dh on a business trip to Fargo (which is a lovely little city to spend a couple days in), Chicago (baseball along with some places for me), and a tiny small town in SW Saskatchewan that turned out to have the most beautiful community hall and church--plus I got a great meal cooked by the town ladies at the meeting, so yay for that! Now a bit of an eastern US trip, and later in the spring, I'm going to tag along on some Alberta farm visits |
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Post by Prenticekid on Mar 24, 2022 17:39:28 GMT
Walk and shop the Lawrenceville neighborhood in Pittsburgh. There's niche sort of businesses and lots of history. One of my favorite Pittsburgh tidbits is that Stephen Foster's father founded Lawrenceville and named it after the captain who said "don't give up the ship" as he was dying and it then became an American battle cry.
Probably mentioned already, but Gateway Clipper at Station Square; Phipps Conservatory; Heinz History Museum in the Strip; and the Strip. The Strip also has Pamela's and Kelly O's, which have been featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. There's a biscotti place that is so yummy and smells awesome to walk by.
Bakeries. We've got them! In case you wanted to do a bakery tour. Let me know if you need a list. LOL
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Post by bunnyhug on Mar 24, 2022 17:56:59 GMT
Bakeries. We've got them! In case you wanted to do a bakery tour. Let me know if you need a list. LOL A bakery list?! What could be better than that?!!  |
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Rhondito
Pearl Clutcher
MississipPea
Posts: 4,708
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Post by Rhondito on Mar 24, 2022 18:13:24 GMT
I love DC!
We loved the National Chapel, so beautiful.
The WWII memorial made me cry.
Many friends have raved about the Spy Museum but I didn't get to go when I was there.
Our favorite restaurant is the Old Ebbitt Grill. SO GOOD!
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Post by Prenticekid on Mar 24, 2022 18:32:08 GMT
Bakeries. We've got them! In case you wanted to do a bakery tour. Let me know if you need a list. LOL A bakery list?! What could be better than that?!!  Here are some to start. I'm at work so I haven't included all info, but they should all be easy to find on the interwebs. LOL LaGourmandine - French pastry, quiche, French sandwiches and baguette Multiple locations. I go to the one on Second Avenue in Hazelwood, but their original location is in Lawrenceville, if you happen to go there. Prantls - downtown. Burnt Almond Torte. It's famous. Grandview Bakery - Mt. Washington - if you happen to take the Mon Incline or visit Grandview Avenue. 350 o - 18th Street driving up from the South Side (aka South Side Slopes). You order at a window from a handwritten list of yumminess - more than your standard fare and flavors. They have hand pies too.
Allegro Hearth - Squirrel Hill. BREAD!
Five Points Artisan Bakeshop - Squirrell Hill. Also BREAD!
Bethel Bakery - Bethel Park. Cake!
Oakmont Bakery - Oakmont. Worth the drive. Worth the wait in line. Everything!
Pastries Ala Carte - Pleasant Hills. Cut out cookies, Alfie cookies, peach cookies. Non-sweet icing on their cakes. Their apple pie is good when they have it.
Party Cake - Brookline. Beloved neighborhood shop. Donuts and cookies!
There are so many others, but these are my family's and my friends' mainstays. LOL
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Post by lisae on Mar 25, 2022 0:40:43 GMT
We just got back from DC. I don't want to scare you off because the museums are really great; HOWEVER, the days of just showing up and walking in and out of whatever you want are not here right now. Be sure to research what is open on the days you want to go. The Smithsonian has different museums open different days of the week. To completely confuse matters, there may be conflicting information on different areas of their websites. The printed information they have posted in the main museum (the Castle) doesn't always match up with what is actually happening. So research and plan but be flexible.
Some places require a timed entry pass such as The Library of Congress and the Museum of African American History. Oh, Air and Space is closing for a renovation. YOu can always go to the memorials - the WWII Memorial is the most comprehensive and well thought out IMO and the Vietnam memorial, the most moving. Again, have a good list of places you want to go, check and see if you need timed entry, have a general idea of where the metro goes and be flexible. It's well worth the effort.
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I like to walk/hike, and I don't mind taking sightseeing tours ... dh likes all those things less than I do, but he will mostly be a good sport about it. I'm interested in history in general, but not overly interested in American history, so that narrows things down at the Smithsonian--I'd probably head for the natural history, air and space, and art focused collections. I've liked tasting tours of local restaurants that we've been on in various cities, so if you know a great one, I'd love to hear about it.
I like to walk/hike, and I don't mind taking sightseeing tours ... dh likes all those things less than I do, but he will mostly be a good sport about it. I'm interested in history in general, but not overly interested in American history, so that narrows things down at the Smithsonian--I'd probably head for the natural history, air and space, and art focused collections. I've liked tasting tours of local restaurants that we've been on in various cities, so if you know a great one, I'd love to hear about it.
